U.P Breaking News Exclusive: Chocolay Township Meth Lab raid – PLUS more charges and another arrest as feds dismantle alleged meth making operation in Baraga County

By Greg Peterson
News Director, Owner
Upper Peninsula Breaking News
906-273-2433

(Harvey, MI) – Just as one alleged meth dealer from L’Anse is indicted by a federal gand jury and allowed to seek rehab – northern Michigan drug agents on Thursday night raided a suspected drug lab in Marquette County.

The incident started about 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29,. 2016 on the 200 block of Riverside Drive in Chocolay Township.

The single story wood frame home was set off the road behind numerous pine trees.
A line of officers using a bullet proof shield, and other gear was witnessed raiding the residence.

Wearing SWAT-like gear, the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement team breached the suspected meth lab about 6:30 p.m. After securing search warrants.

Numerous neighborhood residents gathered to watch the raid in the normally quiet neighborhood just off Green Bay Street.

Its unclear is charges were filed against three people on the scene – including two females who were swearing at each other. No names have been released.

Among those assisting on the scene were the Michigan State Police, Chocolay Township Police Department, Chocolay Township Fire department and the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department.

A “chaplain” even was brought to the scene to witness the raid – as that member of the clergy was apparently on a routine “ride-a-long” with officers.

Meanwhile – A L’Anse man is the latest person to be charged in a superseding federal meth indictment in Baraga County as drug tasks forces across northern Michigan continue their efforts to stem the epidemic that a federal judge in Marquette recently  declared the Upper Peninsula drug problem public health crisis.

On Tuesday, Nathan Thomas Lafernier was granted a “ends of justice” motion to allow his defense attorney to prepare his case.

Lafernier was arrested on September 22, 2016 by UPSET Special Agent Mark Hanes in L’Anse, MI.

Read the new indictment for details: new-meth-indictment

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Previously the federal grand jury in Marquette returned methamphetamine indictments again two men accusing them of  numerous felonies like attempting to make the highly addictive drug near a secondary school and scamming to get ephedrine – a key ingredient in the toxic mix of chemicals.

meth-new-indictment


Those indicted again were 24-year-old Jordan Michael Koskinen and 39 year-old Matthew Gordon Lundy are believed to both be Baraga, MI area residents prior to their arrests.

Prosecuting the cases at the Marquette federal courthouse is Asst. U.S. Attorney Hannah N. Bobee.

Federal magistrate judge Timothy P. Greeley has granted Nathan Thomas Lafernier the federal version of a court-appointed attorney with assistance from the U.S. Public Defenders office in Marquette. Lafernier is represented by attorney Michael J. Manning of Escanaba, a former Delta County assistant prosecutor.

http://upbreakingnews.com/BaragaCountyFederalMethIndictment

Michael J. Manning

(906) 786-7224

mmanning@mmanninglaw.com

Hannah N. Bobee

(906) 226-2500

906-226-3700

hannah.bobee@usdoj.gov

Previous story:

39 year-old Matthew Gordon Lundy 2

39 year-old Matthew Gordon Lundy

24-year-old Jordan Michael Koskinen  2

24-year-old Jordan Michael Koskinen

Indictment Plus Count 1

By Greg Peterson
News Director, Owner
Upper Peninsula Breaking News
906-273-2433

(Baraga, MI) – A crystal meth probe in Baraga County has led to two men to be indicted by a federal grand jury in Marquette last week on numerous felonies including attempting to make the highly addictive drug near a secondary school and scamming to get ephedrine – a key ingredient in the toxic mix of chemicals – and they were arraigned on Friday.

Both men are believed to have lived in Baraga area prior to their arrests where they are accused of allegedly getting people hooked on meth – or at least supply current addicts.
Named in the indictment are 24-year-old Jordan Michael Koskinen and 39 year-old Matthew Gordon Lundy.

Lundy and Koskinen pleaded not guilty during their first appearance/arraignment this past Friday, August 19, 2016 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy P. Greeley who ordered both defendants held without bond.

Count 1 Conspiracy to Manufacture

The five-count federal indictment alleges all the crimes charged happened on or about June 29, 2016 in Baraga County. Lundy was sentenced on state meth charges last year, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) website.

Federal judges who preside in Marquette have called the meth epidemic a public health crisis that is strangling people of all ages – but many are addicted young. The judges have been shocked at how much the big city drug crisis has come home – and its been very evident over the past 5 to 10 years. Its not only meth.

 

 

In epidemic proportions, U.P. law enforcement are witnessing a generation of young people hooked on prescription pills like pain medication and the downers like benzos (often stolen from the people they love and know). In absolute crisis proportions – the U.P. has witnessed the big time return of heroin and even crack. The drug crisis is going to take a lot of money because of the costs of removing the volatile substances and much more.

The U.P. has also witnessed a rise in abuse of Seboxone – a drug specially designed to help addicts not be so sick during withdrawal. But ways were found around that. It has gotten so bad that the state or federal government needs to help including with quality treatment facilities because the U.P. can not arrest itself out of this crisis. Plus the jails and prisons are over-populated.

Count 2 attempted manufacture by school

Apparently Lundy pleaded either no contest or guilty on July 7, 2015 to a state of Michigan charge of attempted delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine that happened in May 2014 in Baraga County.
The maximum sentence was two years in prison, however was released on two years probation through July 2017 – instead of given prison time, according to the MDOC website.

Federal prosecutors allege in count 1 that the two suspects “knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with each other and with others, known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.”

In count two, the two men are charged with attempting to “manufacture methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, within 1,000 feet of a secondary school.”

In count three, the federal indictment charges both men with “knowingly and intentionally possessed equipment, chemicals, products and materials which may be used to manufacture a controlled substance, knowing, intending, and having reasonable cause to believe that such equipment, chemicals, products and materials would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.”

In the final two counts, federal prosecutors alleged the same crime but separately for each man alleging they both procured pseudoephedrine, a vital ingredient in methamphetamine.

In count four, only Lundy is charged with “knowingly and intentionally possessed and distributed pseudoephedrine, a List I Chemical (pseudoephedrine), and aided, abetted, counseled, commanded and induced such possession and distribution, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that such pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, a Schedule II
controlled substance.”

Koskinen was the only one of the two named in count five on a charge of selling, distributing, or dispensing involving a vital ingredient in methamphetamine with the indictment stating he had “reasonable cause to believe that such pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.”

Lundy and Koskinen were indicted on on Tuesday and arrested Thursday (August 18, 2016) by U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs Agent Sarah Hill in Baraga, MI.
Hill is a member of the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team and specializes in Native American reservation drug trafficking. The prosecutor in the case is Asst.U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee.

The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is working with several other state and federal agencies to crack down on large scale drug dealing and related activities on Upper Peninsula Native American Reservations with two major cases underway involving pot and meth in the western and central U.P.
Both were indicted on similar charges. Both will be getting in-patient substance abuse treatment.

Both were indicted on three of the same charges including conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and the attempted manufacturing of methamphetamine; plus selling, distributing, dispensing of meth by the “possession and distribution of a list I chemical with knowledge that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.”
Both suspects were ordered to remain in custody at the Marquette County Jail in Marquette, MI.
Lundy may be undergoing addiction treatment.

In an effort to ask the judge to reconsidering no bond order, both are scheduled for a detention hearings before Magistrate Judge Timothy P. Greeley.
Federal prosecutors requested no bond on Friday because both suspects face over 10 years in prison if convicted.
Both were indicted on August 16, 2016 by a a federal grand jury sitting in Marquette, MI

Federal Indictment Returned by Federal Grand Jury sitting in Marquette, MI

Matthew Gordon Lundy was charge with counts 1 thru 4:

Count 1
June 29, 2016 Baraga County
Conspiracy to manufacture controlled substance; conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine
Federal prosecutors allege on June 29, 2016 in Baraga County the two suspects “knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed with each other and with others, known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.”

Count 2
Controlled substance – manufacture; attempted manufacturing of methamphetamine
In count two, the two men are charged with attempting to “manufacture methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, within 1,000 feet of a secondary school.”

Count 3
Unlawful acts – controlled substance – distribution; possession of equipment, chemicals, products and materials with intent to manufacture methamphetamine
In count three, the federal indictment charges both men with “knowingly and intentionally possessed equipment, chemicals, products and materials which may be used to manufacture a controlled substance, knowing, intending, and having reasonable cause to believe that such equipment, chemicals, products and materials would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, a
Schedule II controlled substance.”

Count 4
Possession and Distribution of a List I Chemical with Knowledge that It Would Be Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine
Controlled substance – sell, distribute, or dispense; possession and distribution of a list I chemical with knowledge that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine

——-

Jordan Michael Koskinen was named in counts 1, 2, 4, 5
Filed: 08/16/2016

Count 1
Conspiracy to manufacture controlled substance; conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine

Count 2
Controlled substance – manufacture; attempted manufacturing of methamphetamine

Count 4
Controlled substance – sell, distribute, or dispense; possession and distribution of a list I chemical with knowledge that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine

Count 5
Possession and Distribution of a List I Chemical with Knowledge that It Would Be Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine
Koskinen is the only suspect charged in count 5 that alleges he “knowingly and intentionally possessed and distributed pseudoephedrine, a List I Chemical, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that such pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance

Laws cited in counts 1 thru 5:

Citation: 21:846=CM.F
Offense Level: 4
21:846, 21:841(a)(1), 21:841(b)(1)(C)

Count: 2
Citation: 21:841A=CM.F
Offense Level: 4
21:841(a)(1), 21:846, 21:841(b)(1)(C), 21:860(a), 18:2(a)

Count: 3
Citation: 21:843A=CD.F
Offense Level: 4
21:843(a)(6), 21:843(d)(2), 18:2(a)

Count: 5 Citation: 21:841A=CD.F
Offense Level: 4
21:841(c)(2), 21:802(33) and (34)(K), 21 C.F.R. 1310.02(a)(11)

Related info and links:

Federal Prosecutor:

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah N. Bobee

(906) 226-2500 (wk)

906-226-3700 (fax)

hannah.bobee at usdoj.gov

The defense attorneys for the suspects are basically court-appointed federal public defenders

Elizabeth A. LaCosse (FPD)

Defense attorney Matthew Gordon Lundy

(906) 226-3050 (wk)

(906) 273-0070 (fax)

beth_lacosse at fd.org

Sarah Emily Henderson

Defense Attorney for Jordan Michael Koskinen

(906) 228-2855 (wk)

(906) 228-2863 (fax)

shenderson at casselmanandhenderson.com

——-

U.S. Parole Officer (USPO) Sheila Osborn

——-

Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET)

P.O. Box 86

Marquette, MI 49855

(Donations can be sent to the above address)

(906) 228-1002

(906) 228-0756 (fax)

www.facebook.com/upsetdrugs

http://upsetdrugs.com

U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/BIA

http://www.bia.gov

http://www.bia.gov/cs/groups/xois/documents/document/idc1-028053.pdf

http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/RegionalOffices/Midwest/WeAre/Michigan/index.htm

U.S. BIA Agent Sarah Hill

U.S Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF)

ATF Special Agent Aaron Voogd

www.ATF.gov

https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/tag/u-s-atf/

U.S. Magistrate Timothy P. Greeley

P.O. Box 698

Marquette MI 49855

(906) 226-3854 (office)

(906) 226-3854 (Case manager)

http://www.miwd.uscourts.gov/content/magistrate-judge-timothy-p-greeley

https://www.nmu.edu/criminaljustice/faculty-staff-greeley

https://www.nmu.edu/criminaljustice/here-comes-judge

https://upperpeninsulabreakingnews.wordpress.com/category/u-s-magistrate-judge-timothy-p-greeley

Baraga County Sheriff’s Department

http://www.baragacounty.org/government/county-sheriff/

Baraga County Sheriff’s Department

940 US Highway 41

L’Anse, MI 49946

Phone: (906) 524-6100 Ext. 695

Email: johnsonr at baragacounty.org

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK (INCLUDING HOLIDAYS)

Sheriff’s Office and Correctional Facility

Sheriff Rick Johnson

Undersheriff Jim Gabe

Deputies

Joe Brogan – Chief Deputy

Fabian Kristo

Joe Brogan

Chad Soli

Correction Officers

Shelley Lloyd

Ryan Treadeau

John Gransell

Bruce Tangen

Tyler Harkonen

Kim Mills

Nancy Kent

Part-Time

Daune Smith – Homeland Security Director

Alison King – Animal Control Deputy

Pat Chamberlain – Correction Officer

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